Stay, Eat, Refuel—All at Ripplewood
A Historic Big Sur Resort
Lodging, dining, and essential amenities — all on one Big Sur resort property
Cozy Cabins
Rustic redwood cottages with indoor plumbing, linens, kitchens or kitchenettes, and private fire pits in select units.
On-Site Café
Beloved Big Sur restaurant serving breakfast and lunch daily from 8 AM to 2 PM — with veg and gluten-free options available.
Grocery & Gas
Groceries, souvenirs, books, firewood, and a Chevron gas station for fuel—everything you need for the next leg of your journey.
A fully self-contained Big Sur resort
Ripplewood Resort offers more than a place to stay—it’s a self-sufficient Big Sur resort experience. Guests enjoy redwood cabin lodging, fresh meals from our café, and travel essentials from the general store and Chevron gas station. It’s everything you need for a peaceful stay, without ever leaving the redwoods.
The roots of Ripplewood Resort – where Big Sur's history runs deep
Ripplewood Resort is more than just a place to stay—it’s one of Big Sur’s original resorts and a living piece of California’s coastal history. Built in 1925 by Doris Fee and her father on land once owned by the Pfeiffer family, the resort began as a humble outpost on what was then known as the “Old Coast Trail.” Cabins 1 through 9 were built along this rugged redwood-lined road, just steps from the Big Sur River.
Cabin 7, the very first to be constructed, still stands proudly near the riverbank. From its deck, you can see the remains of an old train flatbed that once served as a makeshift bridge—a reminder of Ripplewood’s earliest days as a refuge for travelers navigating the wild coast.
As Highway 1 began to take shape in the 1930s, Ripplewood evolved with it. A café, general store, gas station, and hillside cabins were added, offering a self-sufficient stay for road trippers discovering Big Sur for the first time. In those days, you could rent a cabin with a private bath for just $12.50 a week.
Since 1955, Ripplewood Resort has been lovingly cared for by the same family—preserving its timeless spirit for new generations. Whether you’re staying in our original cabins near the river or one of the hillside retreats tucked into the trees, every cabin has a story.
Ripplewood isn’t just a Big Sur resort—it’s a place guests return to decade after decade, drawn by its quiet charm, self-sufficiency, and redwood-lined comfort. And while the world outside moves faster than ever, Ripplewood remains a rare place where very little changes—and that’s exactly how our guests like it.
Ripplewood Resort | Big Sur, CA
In a world that moves fast, Ripplewood Resort offers something enduring: stillness. Nestled under redwoods in the heart of Big Sur, this historic resort invites travelers to unplug from their devices and reconnect—with nature, with loved ones, and with themselves.
Wander among century-old cabins. Listen to the river. Feel the hush of the forest. This is the kind of Big Sur resort experience that stays with you—long after the trip is over. Learn more about Big Sur’s past and the land that shaped it…
When you want to experience historic Big Sur
Postcards fade, but the spirit of Ripplewood stays the same.
The vintage postcards may look like relics from another time—but much of what you see is still here. Ripplewood Resort has remained remarkably unchanged for nearly 100 years, offering a rare glimpse into Big Sur’s quieter, simpler past.
Guests of today experience the same redwood-shaded cabins, the same winding paths, and the same riverside peace as those who first discovered this Big Sur resort decades ago.
Whether you’re sipping coffee on a cabin porch or exploring the coast, Ripplewood invites you to slow down, look around, and take it all in.
Stay at our historic Big Sur Resort – Timeless cabins, lasting memories
Ripplewood Big Sur Resort
For nearly a century, Ripplewood Resort has offered a peaceful retreat in the heart of Big Sur. Whether you’re drawn to the riverside charm of our original cabins or the hillside quiet among the redwoods, each stay connects you to the rich story of this historic Big Sur resort.
Ripplewood isn’t just where you stay—it’s where you slow down, unplug, and become part of a tradition that spans generations.
